202: I'm a little angry now

Lu Chen had just arrived at the office and was about to sit down at his desk.

Just then, the butler rushed in, his body slightly bowed, a hint of anxiety on his face, yet he tried his best to maintain a respectful posture as he spoke:

“Young Master, something has happened. Our Dihao Group’s international business has been targeted. Although there haven't been any actual losses yet, if this trend continues, our business volume will likely decrease gradually.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's previously relaxed brows instantly furrowed. His fingers lightly tapped the desk, his voice deep and carrying an undeniable authority: “Who did it?”

A hint of difficulty flashed across the butler’s face. He lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet Lu Chen’s eyes, and stammered: “We’re still investigating, no results yet.”

Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. A moment later, he sat up straight, his gaze sharp, and slowly said:

“Internationally, we’ve always maintained friendly relations with those foreign conglomerates. Even if the relationship wasn't that good, at least we kept to ourselves. Logically, we wouldn’t be targeted for no reason. Someone must be behind this.”

At this point, Lu Chen’s eyes suddenly gleamed, as if he had thought of a crucial clue. He abruptly stood up, bracing his hands on the desk, and said to the butler:

“Go investigate what the War God Hall has been doing recently, and if they’ve made any unusual moves.”

The butler nodded quickly and replied: “Understood, Young Master, I’ll go take care of it now.” With that, he turned and hurried away, his footsteps quick.

Lu Chen walked to the window, his hands crossed over his chest, his posture tall and straight.

He looked at the bustling city outside the window, his gaze gradually becoming deep and distant.

Currently, the only one with a grudge against him and international influence was the War God Hall.

It seemed they had been quiet all this time, just preparing this big move.

A cold smile played on Lu Chen’s lips. If the War God Hall’s tactics were only this, then he had truly overestimated Xiao Tianyu.

To think they could shake the Dihao Group with such minor actions? It was simply a pipe dream.

As Lu Chen was thinking this, a knock suddenly came from outside the door. “Thump, thump, thump,” the sound was clear and urgent.

Lu Chen turned around, his gaze towards the door, and said in a deep voice: “Come in.”

Then, Gu Xiaoxiao pushed the door open and entered.

She was wearing a well-tailored professional suit, her hair neatly tied back, revealing her fair neck.

However, her eyes were a little evasive. After glancing at Lu Chen, she quickly lowered her head, as if she dared not meet his gaze.

Her footsteps were light. She walked to the desk, gently placed the documents she was holding on the table, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: “Mr. Lu, these are the contracts you need to sign. Please take a look.”

Lu Chen’s gaze shifted from the documents to Gu Xiaoxiao’s face. He stared at her for a moment and then slowly spoke: “Alright, put them there.”

After speaking, he glanced at the door again and said in an undeniable tone: “Go lock the door for me.”

Gu Xiaoxiao’s expression froze slightly, as if she hadn’t expected Lu Chen to make such a request.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

However, her face rapidly turned red, from her cheeks all the way to her earlobes.

Gu Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked to the door, gently turning the lock. The “click” of the deadbolt sounded particularly clear in the quiet office.

After locking the door, Gu Xiaoxiao turned around, unconsciously tugging at the hem of her clothes, standing rooted to the spot, somewhat at a loss. Her head was slightly bowed, looking at her toes, but her heart was beating faster and faster.

A playful smile curved Lu Chen’s lips. He beckoned to her and said: “Come here.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an irresistible power.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s body trembled slightly, as if she had been struck at her core by these two simple words.

She slowly moved her feet, walking step by step towards Lu Chen. With each step, her heart beat a little faster.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s breathing also became rapid, and the grip on the hem of her clothes tightened.

When she reached Lu Chen, Gu Xiaoxiao stopped, her head still bowed, not daring to look at him. Her cheeks were as red as a ripe apple, seemingly about to drip blood.

Lu Chen reached out and gently lifted Gu Xiaoxiao’s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s eyes were wide, filled with shyness and panic, like a startled fawn.

Lu Chen’s fingers gently caressed her cheek, feeling the burning warmth on her face, and he teased: “You must have waited for me for a long time last night, didn't you?”

Gu Xiaoxiao’s face grew even redder. Her eyes darted around, not daring to meet Lu Chen’s gaze.

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found her throat too dry to speak.

After a while, she finally whispered: “No... I didn’t wait for very long.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of a tremble.

Lu Chen chuckled softly, his hand sliding down her cheek to her hair, gently playing with her strands, his eyes full of teasing.

He leaned closer, his warm breath fanning Gu Xiaoxiao’s ear, and said: “Still being stubborn? I don't believe it.”

Gu Xiaoxiao’s body trembled slightly. She instinctively tried to retreat but was pulled into an embrace by Lu Chen, his arm around her waist.

Her hands pressed against Lu Chen’s chest, wanting to push him away, but she couldn't muster the strength.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s eyes were full of helplessness and shyness, and she said in a tearful voice: “Mr. Lu, this is the company…”

Lu Chen, however, ignored her resistance. His hand tightened gently around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.

His other hand gently stroked her back, feeling her rapid breathing and slightly trembling body, and he teased: “What about the company?”

Gu Xiaoxiao buried her face in Lu Chen’s chest, not daring to look up.

After the series of events, Gu Xiaoxiao knew in her heart that she had long lost the courage to refuse Lu Chen, and she couldn't bear to refuse him.

Although they were at the company now, as long as Lu Chen had an idea, she could only comply... In her opinion, this would not only mend the gap between them but also prove that Lu Chen still cared about her... Feeling the familiar masculine scent emanating from Lu Chen, Gu Xiaoxiao’s face grew even hotter, reddening as if it were about to ignite.

She bit her lower lip slightly, her head bowed even lower, not daring to look into Lu Chen’s deep, fiery eyes.

Lu Chen leaned in slightly, his breath fully caressing Gu Xiaoxiao’s ear, and said in a deep, slightly hoarse voice:

“Do you know I'm very annoyed right now?”

The voice was like an electric current, making Gu Xiaoxiao tremble all over.

“Ah?” Gu Xiaoxiao instinctively let out a soft cry, then slowly raised her head, her large, watery eyes full of confusion and bewilderment, and she asked timidly, “What’s wrong?”

At this moment, the blush on her face had not yet faded, but a hint of worry had been added to her eyes, looking like a small animal that was startled but deeply concerned for its owner.

Lu Chen looked at her like this, a faint smile playing on his lips. His hand slowly slid from her hair, gently stroking her back, then slowly tracing her waistline. His unrestrained movements made Gu Xiaoxiao feel completely uncomfortable.

“What do you mean, what’s wrong?” Lu Chen deliberately retorted, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “The Dihao Group’s international business being targeted is no small matter.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxiao’s heart immediately tensed up. She no longer cared about being shy and quickly said: “Have you found out who did it? Will it be very serious?”

She frowned slightly, her eyes full of worry, and unconsciously gripped Lu Chen’s sleeve with her hands.

In her heart, Lu Chen’s career was of utmost importance, and she wished more than anyone that everything would go smoothly for him.

Lu Chen looked at her nervous expression and smiled slightly: “Still investigating.”

As he spoke, his hand gently pinched Gu Xiaoxiao’s cheek, “This matter is very vexing to me. Tell me, how should you help me calm down?”

Gu Xiaoxiao was stunned by his question, and the blush on her face spread again, even her earlobes turning crimson.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat dry, unable to utter a single word.

Gu Xiaoxiao frantically lowered her gaze, avoiding Lu Chen’s fiery eyes, unconsciously tugging at the hem of her clothes, her fingers anxiously intertwined.

After a long while, she finally mustered the courage and whispered: “I… I don’t know what to do either.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of a tremble, sounding both helpless and shy.

She secretly looked up at Lu Chen, then quickly lowered her head again, like a startled little rabbit.

Lu Chen chuckled softly and leaned closer to her again, his warm breath caressing her neck, making her tremble all over. “Then I’ll teach you.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an irresistible power.

As he spoke, his hand slowly moved upwards from Gu Xiaoxiao’s waist, gently stroking her shoulder, then slowly sliding down her arm, finally taking her hand.

Gu Xiaoxiao only felt her heart beating faster and faster, almost leaping out of her throat.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of shyness and helplessness, and said in a tearful voice: “Mr. Lu, this really is the company... What if someone finds out…”

Her words were cut short by Lu Chen.

“What if they find out?” Lu Chen said domineeringly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but the strength in his hand did not loosen in the slightest,

“Does anyone dare to say anything?” As he spoke, he gently lifted Gu Xiaoxiao’s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, his eyes full of possessiveness,

“Remember, don’t ever bring up such a mood-killing topic again.”

Gu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Chen’s strong gaze, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart.

She was both afraid of Lu Chen’s domineering nature and felt a hint of sweetness from his undisguised possessiveness. She bit her lower lip and whispered: “I understand…”

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but the blush on her face grew even more intense, as if it would engulf her entirely... Meanwhile, in the secretary’s office,

Liu Ruyan sat at her desk, ostensibly staring at the computer screen, but her mind was completely off work, her gaze constantly and uncontrollably drifting towards Gu Xiaoxiao’s seat.

She realized that Gu Xiaoxiao had been gone for a long time and still hadn't returned.

She couldn't help but wonder if something had happened.

She frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, then looked at Yu Miaoyin at the next cubicle and asked: “Do you know what Xiaoxiao went to do?”

Yu Miaoyin was focused on checking documents on her computer. Hearing Liu Ruyan’s words, her fingers paused on the keyboard for a moment.

She looked up, thought for a moment, and said in a calm tone: “She probably went to find Lu Chen. She just said she had a few contracts that needed Lu Chen’s signature.”

Liu Ruyan’s heart “thumped” when she heard this, and she immediately became vigilant.

She knew too well the subtle relationship between Lu Chen and Gu Xiaoxiao, and she keenly sensed that things were definitely not that simple.

She bit her lower lip, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes. Unable to sit still, she immediately stood up.

However, she was extra cautious at this moment. She knew that if she rushed in rashly and happened to see something she shouldn’t, with Lu Chen’s temper, she would be in serious trouble.

She needed to find someone to go with her. This way, even if she was wrong, Lu Chen wouldn't do anything to her.

She walked over to Yu Miaoyin, a slightly stiff smile on her face, and said:

“Miaoyin, I’m still a bit worried. How about we go together and check? What if Xiaoxiao needs help with something?”

Yu Miaoyin looked up, confused, at Liu Ruyan, her eyes full of bewilderment: “Huh? Is that necessary? She’s just delivering a contract, what could possibly happen?”

Liu Ruyan let out two dry laughs, waved her hand, and explained: “Oh, you don’t understand. Xiaoxiao hasn’t been in a good state lately. I’m afraid she might make a mistake. If we go together, we can look out for each other.”

Yu Miaoyin still felt a bit bewildered, but she couldn’t refuse, so she stood up and said helplessly: “Alright, fine, let’s go check together then.”

Liu Ruyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes. She was truly too clever.

She straightened her clothes and led the way towards Lu Chen’s office. Yu Miaoyin followed behind her with a helpless expression, still wondering what exactly Liu Ruyan was up to.

Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, step by step, getting closer to Lu Chen’s office. Liu Ruyan’s heart beat faster and faster.

She was both expectant and afraid, not knowing what kind of scene she would see when she pushed open that door.

Yu Miaoyin, meanwhile, was completely unaware of what was about to happen, only finding Liu Ruyan’s behavior today very strange.

After arriving at the door of Lu Chen’s office, Liu Ruyan raised her hand to knock, but her movement suddenly froze.

Her heart was pounding. If she just knocked and went in rashly, and happened to see something she shouldn’t, and Lu Chen got angry, even with Yu Miaoyin accompanying her, she still couldn't handle it.

Her eyes darted around, looking at Yu Miaoyin beside her, and she forced a smile, saying: “Miaoyin, why don’t you knock?”

Yu Miaoyin was full of doubt, sizing up Liu Ruyan, and asked: “Why? You’re the one who called me here, so why are you asking me to knock?”

Liu Ruyan let out two dry laughs, her eyes darting away, scratching her head, her mind racing to come up with an excuse:

“This… isn’t it that you usually have quite a bit of contact with Mr. Lu? If you knock, Mr. Lu definitely won’t find it abrupt. My heart is fluttering, and my hands are a bit shaky. If I knock too lightly or too hard and displease Mr. Lu, that would be terrible.”

Yu Miaoyin pouted, her face full of distrust: “You’re all talk. I’ve never seen you afraid of Mr. Lu before, so why are you pretending to be timid now?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan’s face alternated between pale and red. She quickly grabbed Yu Miaoyin’s arm and shook it: “Oh, good Miaoyin, just help me this once, okay? I’m begging you.”

Yu Miaoyin couldn't win, so she sighed helplessly: “Alright, alright, I give up on you.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand, just about to knock on the door, when with a “creak,” the door opened.